Any Breastfeeding Tips?

Dear E.,
Definitely try with the second child. Contact La Leche league for support. They are really great at this. At first I was retisent to do so but was happy when I did.
P.

I was physically unable to breastfeed my first daughter as my milk never came in, but I breastfed my second daughter with no problems whatsoever. Have hope ... and good luck!

I recall seeing a news article that said something about the possibility of the epidural being related to breast feeding problems in some women. Talk to your doc about it. Makes sense to me. I never had much milk, with either of my boys. With my first, I had a vag. birth without an epidural. I didn't have any latch on problems or anything. I just didn't have enough milk. With my youngest I had a c section so of course I had to have an epidural and I did have some issues with breastfeeding that I didn't have the first time around. Also, looking back on my last delivery, I really really wish the hospital had offered me a breast pump to make sure that my milk was established well. I had a hard time with the breastfeeding but I think I really could have benefited from the use of a pump, I honestly just never thought about it at the time. Hope this helps. Congrats to you on the new little one coming! Shannon

I swear, the BEST advice I was ever given on breastfeeding was so simple, but made a WORLD of difference for me! Here's my little secret!

Bring the baby to your nipple, not your nipple to your baby. When you bring your nipple to the baby, it's harder for them to get a large surface, whereas if you hold your breast with one hand, while holding it in a way that puts your nipple out there for her, then bring the baby's head to it with your other hand, they get such a larger surface because you're able to all at once put your entire nipple and part of areola all the way into their mouth before they latch on! I NEVER had any soreness, and THAT'S something to brag about! I did this every time I breastfed, and never had any issues. Try it! I hope I was able to tell it in a way that makes sense through typing. If not, let me know and I'll try to explain it better.

I did not read any other responses, so I may be repeating them. I had a very similar problem with my baby, although he was a lazy eater, not agressive, but I had a very low supply.
A few tips, try the Breast Friend pillow instead of boppy or anything else. You can get it online or BRU and it allows for much better positioning and comfort.
See a lactation specialist. I am not sure where you live, but we went to Chagrin Highlands and saw Mary, who is only there a few days a week, but was very wonderful, nurturing and in no way judgmental. In fact she was the one who ultimately suggested I give my son a bottle, because I was on the edge of insanity.
Good luck and remember that your son did great on formula and you have to do what is best for you and your baby. Don't let ANYONE make you feel bad if it does not work.

I would get help as soon as your little one is born. Lactation consultants can be your best friends, I know mine is!!! There are so many things you can do to incrase your milk supply and remeber that nothing increases it more then putting the baby to breast, even if you dont feel like the baby is getting a lot the stimulation for you is going to help your milk come in better. The other thing is to keep going, it gets very hard and frustrating but just keep going before you know it you and your new baby will be experts!!! Good Luck and I dont know where you are but PM if you want the name of a good support group in Indianpolis!!

I am a labor and delivery nurse and yes people do have troubles with one child and ok with another. Good luck to you. Just do what feels comfortable to you. Also, each hospital has a lactation consultant who is there to help you after delivery and after you are discharged home....make sure you see one and get more information from them:)

All babies and pregnancies are different. Just try it. If your baby won't take to it, it's not your fault. My first didn't but my 2nd did until I stopped at 4 months! Good luck!

With my first son I breastfed for less than 2 weeks, developed a horrible case of mastitis (infection in the milk glands) and gave up. Two years later I gave birth to twins and successfully breastfed them both for 6 months! (I decided to quit for selfish reasons, my boobs were so big feeding 2 babies that I looked like a freak show lol)

It just seemed to come more naturally the 2nd time around because I was much more relaxed and low-key. If I had known what a wonderful experience it could have been, I definitely would have stuck it out the 1st time around.

Good luck and let nature take it's course! (of course lots of water, rest, and a good diet is also key)

hey there, first i want to say koodos for trying again. i think that's great!!! my main suggestion is to have this baby latch on within 45 minutes of giving birth. do not introduce a bottle first. many mom's give the baby a bottle shortly after birth and then the babe won't take a bottle. getting that attachment bond first is extremely important. if i were you i'd see a lactation consultant BEFORE giving birth that way you will know some helpful techniques when the baby arrives. good luck. if you have any other questions, let me know. i hope i helped a little.

Each pregnancy, birth and baby are different, so we react differently each time. I've never heard of someone's supply not coming in properly due to medications/fluids during delivery, so I'm not sure exactly what you could have done differently for that. I would only suggest to give it a try and stick with it for a while. It usually takes a few days (sometimes 5 days to a week) for milk to take the place of colostrum, so don't worry if your milk isn't in immediately.

There are also some things you can do to help increase your supply. Fenugreek is a suppliment that you can take to help increase supply. You can get it at vitamin stores. Also, increasing your fluid intake can help. Your body needs about the same (if not a little more) amount of calories when you breastfeed as you do when you're pregnant so that the baby gets what they need and so do you.

Baby's position in nursing can also help. My supply has increased (breastfeeding a 1-month-old) within the past couple of days because of the position he feeds in. Try different positions with the baby to not only see what is most comfortable for you and him/her, but also to see if your supply changes.

The last thing I can think of would be to pump once or twice a day to help keep supply up. This is definitely easier said than done (especially if you have a baby who takes FOREVER to eat like mine does), but it can help.

Best wishes to you and God bless,
A.

I had trouble bf my son, he was born 4 weeks early and didn't know how to suck. I ended up going to a lactation counselor weekly. If you and baby aren't getting it there are excersices you can do to help. I felt horrible because it was supposed to be so natural, and it is, but sometimes it is very hard. There are all kinds of factors that can get in the way. A good lactation counselor is definately the way to go. They can help you find solutions to your problems and it will be a much more rewarding experience. Like the last response said, if you don't end up being able to do it there is nothing wrong with you. But I think with help anyone can do it.
Good luck

Speak to a lactation consultant. Most hospitals have them on staff and if they don't, you can find one on your own. My consultant was wonderful. I couldn't have breastfed with out her. Just give it a shot. If it doesn't work for you, there's nothing wrong with you. I know some people can make you feel like that. BFing is very very hard and stressful at times. Don't let that deter you. It really is wonderful for the baby and for you. Good luck!